Letter 220: Theodore Studite, Letter 220; Greek heading: Ὑπατίῳ τέκνῳ.

Now too I have learned what you have written, beloved child, and in all things I approve your resolve, which springs from a heart fervent with faith and chooses to be with me even bodily. But this is not the present moment's business; for what you have devised, though it is a token of your confidence, is altogether unprofitable. Do not, then, dare to do any such thing; for as the Lord has ordered it by his dispensation [oikonomia, God's providential arrangement], so it must be cherished. Or do you not know that God, who is above us, takes thought for what concerns us, for our salvation? And the like-mindedness of a disciple is not made known so much by being bodily together as by the inseparable disposition and affection of spiritual union. For what? Do we love one another in a fleshly way, so that we should employ the flesh as our helper? If so, we are more pitiable than all men. Our love is free of passion, that we may be known to belong to the God who is free of passion. Therefore there is no absolute need of bodily union as well. So, child, cherish this, becoming as far as you are able a helper to your brothers in humility, praying also for me, the humble one. Greet brother Lucian, brother Euodius; may the Trinity guard the three of you, together with him whom you serve. Your brothers greet you most warmly; greet the man of God.